Since March I have been applying for jobs in the education field. My first interview was in May at East Ridge High and I totally bombed it. I was not prepared in the least for their questions and was certainly not surprised when I didn’t get a call. At the end of May, I went to California for two months without a job. The day after I got home I got a couple of calls about interviews, which, I obviously couldn’t go to in person. While at home I received a few more emails about interviews, but nobody was willing to interview me long distance. I felt like a failure. When I finally got back to Tennessee I had four more interviews, one for a job I really wanted. However, I didn’t hear back from any of them when they said they would call. Once again I was disappointed and scared I wouldn’t get a job, but more than that I was scared of what would happen to my reputation. What people would think of me when I couldn't get a job in the filed my degree is in.
Here’s the thing. I live with a wonderful family that has been taking care of me, and I know would continue to do so if I didn’t find employment. God has already provided for me what I needed. Not to mention my parents who have given me so much and continue to do so. What was at stake was not a lack of food on the table or place to live, but my status. By causing me to wait, and wait, and wait some more, God taught me how proud I am—how impure my motives really were. I couldn’t get a job at some retail store or something like it; that was beneath me. Or so went my reasoning. Scripture tells me how evil I truly am, but to be honest, I quite often forget. The truth is a job anywhere would be a blessing and give me the opportunity to do what I am called to do—make disciples. Sometimes I think I must be in a certain place or have a certain position to do God’s will, but really I am able to do his will wherever I am. My primary focus ought to be the salvation of souls, not my occupation or anything else.
Though God disciplined me by delaying answering my prayer for a job in the field of education, he blessed me threefold because I was offered the jobs for the last three interviews I went on. The best part of all, is the one I really wanted, the one I prayed specifically about, the one I thoroughly enjoyed my hour long interview for, was one that I was offered! The job is everything I could have wanted. It is a middle school…. my preference. It’s not a full-time position, but I get my own class. This is a perfect way to learn math again and how to teach it, with far less stress. It pays well enough that soon I can be independent. It’s in a huge school district that has may positions open up, which leaves me much opportunity for growth. The administration seems great. In sum, I am a proud and worthless sinner who has received a huge blessing from a gracious, generous, loving Father to whom I am very grateful.